528 MAMMALIA. 



Genus Molossus. — The Molossus are animals with a large head, 

 thick blubber-lips, more or less fringed, and with the interfemoral 

 membrane only reaching to one half of the tail. Their tout ensemble 

 is simply hideous. They inhabit the hot and temperate regions of 

 the two continents. Eight or nine species are known, only one 

 of which has been observed in Europe ; the largest is the Collared 

 Molossus, which inhabits Borneo and the kingdom of Siam, and 

 the span of its wings is twenty-six inches. 



Genus Nyderis. — The nose in this genus is pierced by a cavity 

 in which the nasal-leaf is concealed. This leaf, therefore, exists, 

 though it is not visible externally. The tail is of medium size, 

 and supports the interfemoral membrane throughout its length. 

 These creatures inhabit different parts of Africa, such as Egypt, 

 Sennaar, and Senegal, and are also found in Java. Up to the 

 present time, only three species have been discovered. They 

 measure from eight to ten inches across the wings. 



Genus Rhinolophus. — The animals belonging to this genus are 

 distinctly characterised by the presence and the arrangement of 

 the nasal leaf, which is composed of two parts, somewhat similar 

 to that of the Vampires : one has the form of a lance-head, and 

 is placed at the root of the forehead, the other margins the upper 

 lip, and is more or less in the shape of a horse-shoe ; the nostrils 

 open between these two membranes. The ears and tail are of 

 inediuni size ; the interfemoral membrane entirely embraces the 

 latter. At the flanks two glands are found which have the 

 appearance of mammce, and secrete an odoriferous substance. 

 "With regard to size, the Rhinolophus difiers but little from the 

 Yespertilio ; it has a long abundant fur, generally of a light 

 shade, and which is sometimes remarkably handsome. 



These Cheiroptera are widely spread in the Old World, in 

 Europe, Africa, Asia, and the islands of Sunda ; no species are 

 found in America. They live in numerous bands during the 

 greater part of the year. When the females are with j^oung, they 

 separate themselves from the males, to bring forth and rear their 

 progeny. When the latter are capable of supplying their own 

 wants, the mothers cease to attend them, and return to live in 

 the society of the males. 



The most considerable species of the genus is the Giant 

 Ehinolophus, which inhabits Java and the Moluccas ; it measures 



